Reading comprehension takes intentional practice, and visualization is a critical component of that practice. Regardless of age, students who learn visualization strategies are more actively engaged with written texts and can therefore understand them better.
Why Drawing Boosts Reading Comprehension
We process written texts primarily with the left side of the brain. Drawing what we read engages both sides of the brain at the same time, which boosts comprehension. Drawing, like notetaking, requires us to evaluate a text and to determine which concepts are the most important. However, brain research in the past 15 years has shown that drawing is even more effective than notetaking at aiding with memory, understanding, and overall brain engagement. Why? Unlike basic notetaking, drawing goes beyond just parroting back what we’ve read. Turning words into visual images requires us to restructure the content into something new, and that depth of thinking creates more active readers.
Turning words into visual images requires us to restructure the content into something new, and that depth of thinking creates more active readers.
How To Connect Reading and Drawing
With any text you teach, look for opportunities for your students to draw.
Sketching characters, scenes, and events: Students reading a story can sketch the plot as it unfolds. If they’re reading about history, they can draw historical figures or scenes. When reading a literary passage that’s particularly descriptive, illustrating the scene requires students to think through and attend carefully to the text. The example below is a student illustration of Pi's raft from The Life of Pi.
Mapping: Mapping out a scientific process allows learners to think about the process in a more concrete way. Students can also draw a map of a story setting or geographical location.
Symbolic or abstract representations: Images don’t have to be concrete to be beneficial. Students can represent emotions or abstract concepts with shapes, colors, textures, and designs. These types of illustrations are especially helpful when studying poetry. The example below is a student representation from The Inferno.
Doodling: Studies have shown that doodling while reading sharpens focus and keeps the brain from wandering. Interestingly, the physical act of doodling aids memory even if students never look back at what they drew again later!
The Quality of the Art
Drawing need not be elaborate to be effective; simple stick figures work just fine! The goal is to think, and thinking can be raw or even messy—as can students’ illustrations. Remember, as long as the brain is actively engaged, learning is taking place! You can include three-dimensional art materials, too, such as clay, cardboard, or even bricks.
The goal is to think, and thinking can be raw or even messy—as can students’ illustrations.
Making the Most of this Practice
As a follow-up to any illustrating activity, ask students to explain why they drew what they drew. This discussion further deepens their understanding and makes even more brain connections that will enhance memory. It also allows you to see what your students took from the text and to discuss any significant concepts they may not have noticed.
Whether you’re teaching advanced literary texts in high school, social studies in elementary school, or anything in between, boost comprehension skills by incorporating a bit of drawing into your lessons and enjoy seeing your students become more active and insightful readers!
Recommended Resources
Last summer I used Picture It books (available from Amazon) for a summer enrichment camp activity. Children’s author Judith Holbrook has published 12 picture books in this series (so far).
The stories are wholesome and engaging, but instead of providing pictures, the books invite children to visualize and illustrate the stories themselves. Children at the camp loved illustrating the books, and as I asked them about their drawings, I was amazed at how carefully they were reading and analyzing the text on each page. I also appreciated that each book was as original as the illustrators themselves! In the photo below, a camp participant shares the Picture It book she illustrated.
